Get that job: How to land an internship at Amazon

Tips and tricks from our University Recruiting Team.

By Albert Kim

on January 31, 2018

Every spring, the search for college internships intensifies. The hunt for the right internship can be exciting, frustrating, nerve-wracking, and everything in between. Candidates who do best take time to prepare, and aren't afraid to be themselves.

We believe that great talent can be found anywhere, and right now our recruiting teams are keeping an eye out for undergraduate interns. Below are a few tips to help stand out, get an interview, and land an offer for a summer internship at Amazon.

1

Get to know us.

Images of Amazon's Seattle, Washington, campus, in both the downtown and South Lake Union neighborhoods. (JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Photo by JORDAN STEAD/(JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Maybe you're an Amazon customer, or a Prime member. But do you have a sense of what it’s like to work here? Do you know much about our culture? How we make decisions? What products have succeeded and why? If not, dig in and read. There’s a lot of information online about who we are, how we operate, and what we look for in candidates. Learn a bit about us, and see if our approach suits your strengths.

2

Location, location, location.

Photo by JORDAN STEAD / Amazon

This summer, we will have opportunities for thousands of interns to work on business and products in offices throughout North America, including our Seattle headquarters. When thinking about applying for an internship, consider not just where you’d want to spend the summer, but also consider the early part of your career.

3

Don’t think you "can't" get a job at Amazon.

Images of Amazon's Seattle, Washington, campus, in both the downtown and South Lake Union neighborhoods. (JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Photo by JORDAN STEAD/(JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Too often we see talented candidates get stuck in their own heads, focused on whether or not they’ll be able to get a job, before they even try. Some think their GPA is too low, others worry they didn’t go to a "good enough" school. The reality is this: if you are passionate, curious, action-oriented, and want to work at a place that is constantly changing and growing, we want to hear from you.

4

Be true to you.

Photo by JORDAN STEAD / Amazon

We look for candidates who are peculiar, passionate, and dedicated, both inside and outside of work. Your courses and work experience are important, but so are your passions and pastimes. What do you do outside of classes and jobs, and why? How do you engage with the world around you? We want to know.

5

Ask questions, then ask more.

Images of Amazon's Seattle, Washington, campus, in both the downtown and South Lake Union neighborhoods. (JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Photo by JORDAN STEAD/(JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

One of our Leadership Principles is “Learn and Be Curious.” Bring this into your application process, because we bring it to our jobs, every day. Do your research and show us your curiosity. Speak up and ask questions when you’re face to face with a recruiter or Amazonian. We’ll notice.

6

Know why you want to work at Amazon.

Images of Amazon's Seattle, Washington, campus, in both the Regrade and South Lake Union neighborhoods. (JORDAN STEAD / Amazon)

Photo by JORDAN STEAD / Amazon

It might sound obvious, but candidates at all levels have gotten stuck on the question, "Why do you want to work at Amazon?" Think about Amazon – who we are and how we operate, as well as what your goals are as a professional. The response is your answer to why you want to work here.